THE BEATLES HELP UK 1965 1st press LP PARLOPHONE yellow/black PMC MONO 1255 VG+

	£		31
	$		41

THE BEATLES - HELP!

A lovely copy of this 1967 UK very 1st press Beatles classic on the PARLOPHONE label, mono PMC 1255

 Matrix Numbers :

Side 1 XEX 549 - 2 with stampers "4" and "M G" at 10 o'clock and 4 o'clock respectively

Side 2  XEX 550 - 2 with stampers "2 and "R M" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Note the authenticity of this 1st pressing by a) correct "-2" matrix numbers, b) on the side 1 label a space between the track listing "I NEED YOU" and "*" - on later pressings there was no such space, and c) the 2nd line of the side 2 label begins with "NCB", on later pressings it begins with "BIEM"

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent. Completely flat with nice sheen and clean, clearly defined grooves throughout. In fact, in normal daylight the condition of the vinyl appears as near perfect; it's only under a bright light that a few wispy hairlines and small, mild paper scuffs come into view. There are no scratches, and certainly nothing nasty below the surface - just a lovely lacquered sheen. Amazing condition for a 52 year old classic record such as this. 

The labels are each excellent. The raised "K" and "T" tax codes are clearly visible on the side 2 label and there are just a few very faint spindle trails adjacent to each of the centre holes, otherwise excellent. 

The iconic, front-side laminated Garrod & Lofthouse outer sleeve is very good+. There is no scuffing or rubbing on any of the edges, including the spine, each of which remains nicely rigid. The opening edges also remain nicely defined with just the hint of some very mild fraying. There is no laminate lifting and no creasing, just four 1cm horizontal laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine two of which slightly impinge upon the spine. The reverse side flip backs are excellent and remain 100% functional, and the photographs and all text remain rich and vibrant on both sides. There is just the hint of some very mild age discolouration on the reverse side adjacent to the opening edge and there is a single discolouration "dot" on the front side below the "E" in "THE". Finally, each corner remains a nicely defined right angle with minimal rubbing.

Finally, the quality of the audio is VG+. Nice tone and clarity with no distortion either at higher volume or higher frequency. No clicks, no pops, no skips, just the occasional nanosecond of static/crackle and just a little background crackle at the beginning and end of each side...very mild, negligible in fact. Every track makes for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. HELP!

2. THE NIGHT BEFORE

3. YOU'VE GOT TO HIDE YOUR LOVE AWAY

4. I NEED YOU

5. ANOTHER GIRL

6. YOU'RE GOING TO LOSE THAT GIRL

7. TICKET TO RIDE

Side 2 :

1. ACT NATURALLY

2. IT'S ONLY LOVE

3. YOU LIKE ME TOO MUCH

4. TELL ME WHAT YOU SEE

5. I'VE JUST SEEN A FACE

6. YESTERDAY

7. DIZZY MISS LIZZY

Comes with original "USE EMITEX" polythene lined die cut inner sleeve which has some mild creasing towards the corners and a 2cm seam split at the top of one of the side edges; otherwise it remains in excellent condition. Note that I supply an additional plain white inner with every record that I sell to help minimise the risk of damage to the original inner (some of which are collectibles in their own right) as a matter of course.

An increasingly rare (certainly in this condition) cherished 1st press copy of this classic album with minor blemishes and certainly good enough to grace any Beatles vinyl collection, with every track making for a great listen.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

I try to be as accurate and as objective as possible when describing my records, sleeves, and inserts on ebay. But inevitably opinions and descriptions are always prone to some subjectivity, and opinions and what constitutes "Near mint" or "Excellent" can sometimes differ. My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I will resolve the issue I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

I always start my auctions at a low price to encourage bidding and in the knowledge that the market normally finds it's own level with the end price being indicative of the true market value of the item being advertised.

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging is Royal Mail 1st class : UK £3.00, continental Europe £7, and Rest of the World £11. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.